Electronic Kill Tags To Replace Paper Under DNR Plan

Michigan hunters have been tagging deer since 1915, with the system evolving over time. Now, the tradition is entering a new era as paper tags are set to be replaced by electronic kill tags.

Michigan Kill Tags

Michigan's kill tags for deer, bear, elk, and other animals have evolved significantly over the last 111 years. In 1915, the first kill tags were made of metal, but to lower costs they moved to paper, then peel back stickers.

It was in 1967, that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began to transition from metal kill tags to paper. Hunters wore a hunting license pinned in a plastic cover on the back of their coat or vest with a separate paper kill tag issued.

From then on the paper kill tags evolved over the years for hunters, but in the mid 90s the DNR switched to the peel-off sticker hunting licenses and kill tags.

For 31 years Michigan hunters have had the peel-off hunting licenses and kill tags, but that is all about to change.

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Hunters to Use Electronic Kill Tags Under New DNR Rule

It was in 2014, that the DNR offered online license purchasing for base hunting license and permits. This made getting a hunting or fishing license much easier. It was in 2020, the DNR launched a new and improved online license system.

When hunters get their hunting licenses starting March 1, 2026, they won't need to use a paper kill tag for bear, bobcat, deer, fisher, marten or otter. Instead, hunters will use the Hunt Fish app to fill out and validate a kill tag.

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The program technically started in 2024 when hunters checked in their turkey kills online or on the app. The technology will mean hunters no longer have to go to a license agent or a check station. This will also help the DNR to track kills and get more accurate numbers each season.

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